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While we're constantly being told that production budgets on games are “skyrocketing” (and this is true insofar as marketing and non-development related costs go) the one thing that most whiny publishers don't talk about is that they're making more money now in a single quarter than most publishers made combined in an entire year back in the 90s. Nevertheless, Payday 2 is one of those games that's making massive amounts of money... on pre-orders alone.
We don't hear much from 505 Games, but Starbreeze Studios sent a note out to investors that Gamereactor.eu managed to get a hold of and share with the public. The news recounts numbers so impressive on the pre-order count that they are actually in the black and posting profits before the game has even launched.
You can check out what Starbreeze sent to investors by reading the investors statement below from CEO Bo Andersson-Klint...
This is neither shocking nor surprising, but well-deserved for a game that steps clearly outside of the typical box.
I'll say this: the coverage of Payday 2 showed gamers something worth investing in and the smart move by developers to allow a beta program showed confidence in the product. A good game doesn't need to hide behind a $50 million dollar advertising campaign or a $100 million dollar marketing program. If your game is good and people catch wind of it, they will buy it. It's as simple as that.
Payday 2, oddly enough, feels like the sort of thing that could have been a Kickstarter success given its obvious step away from the traditional methods of gameplay. In addition to this, the game has a lot of procedural mission parameters that change on each play-through, creating all new ways of interaction and challenge for gamers that we don't oftentimes see in games with AAA-sized production budgets.
Simply put, Payday 2 was designed to be fun and replayable unlike a lot of the junk coming out of publishing studios that seem to milk the gaming industry and YOUR money like leeches from a swamp.
It was pretty obvious Payday 2 was going to hit sleeper-hit status given a few factors: It's appropriately priced, it doesn't waste a lot of resources on “shiny” graphics. Competition is light on the market during its build-up and release widnow, and it's a freaking awesome game set around interactive heists that you can enjoy with friends and we don't have any other games on the market like it.
Payday 2's release date has been firmly set for next week on PC and home consoles. You can learn more about this cooperative heist-shooter by paying a visit to the official website. Hopefully we can see this game profit enough for the developers to take even more risks on their next outing. Kudos to Overkill Software for making a great game and kudos to 505 for putting up the money to do something different.
Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News
Staff Writer at CinemaBlend.


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2022 Ford Fiesta
With astounding sales figure goals, the 2022 Fiesta launches in Europe with revised looks and improved technology. The overall impressions are quite good as it gets a design refresh with new powertrain options. Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Polo, Vauxhall Corsa, and Skoda Fabia are also getting substantial upgrades with the 2022 model year. How will the 2022 Ford Fiesta hold up in the European market after its latest facelift?
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV - Driven
Mitsubishi revealed the fourth-generation Outlander back in February 2021 with a lot of styling influenced by the Engelberg Concept, but if you’re hoping to get all that new goodness in an Outlander PHEV, you’re out of luck. Why? Well, because while the rest of the Outlander lineup transitioned into a new generation, here we have the forgotten Outlander PHEV that’s still stuck in the past, flaunting styling and tech that’s beyond dated. So, is it still worth it to buy an Outlander PHEV in 2021 or should you look for alternatives? Our tester had a final price of $39,835 and its generation went into production in 2012, so you should probably read on if you really want the answer to that question.
2022 Ford Fiesta Van
In the same time with the launch of the new-generation Fiesta, Ford added a new model to the lineup: the new Fiesta Van. The new model was built on the three-door Fiesta passenger car, but it offers extra load volume, making this the perfect grocery carrier in busy, European cities. The 2022 Fiesta Van will be offered in two trim levels: Trend and Sport, and first deliveries will be made in early 2022.
2022 Mazda CX-5
Mazda North American has announced that the 2022 CX-5, it’s best-selling SUV – is finally getting some much-needed updates. The most important change is the addition of AWD as standard equipment across the lineup. However, it should also be noted that there are a few exterior design tweaks as well. But can it stand firm against the slightly lower-priced Volkswagen Tiguan and Hyundai Tucson?
2022 Toyota RAV4 Adventure
If you look at sales figures for the Toyota RAV4 in both Europe and the U.S. you will see that it is a very successful model. Back in 2020 the RAV4 was the best sold SUV in the States for the fourth year in a row, while in Europe it is in the top 3 best sold Toyota models.
So, it was to be expected to see that Toyota is doing its best to further improve the model and come with more ways to attract more customers. Its latest attempt is called "RAV4 Adventure" and, according to Toyota, it "reinforces the model’s “go anywhere” spirit with stand-out rugged styling that’s ready for life in the great outdoors."
2021 Renault Captur
Being the ideal model for Renault’s “Drive the Future” plan, the Captur is one of the best-selling small-SUV across Europe after its first launch in 2013. The new Captur arrives with revised mechanics, updated looks, and it is more practical and tech-heavy. But should you consider it over the Kia Niro and Mazda CX-3? Let’s find out.
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross
Until recently the name "Corolla" made you think about Toyota’s compact sedan that is giving the Honda Civic a lot of headaches. Well, as of June, 2021 Toyota added a new version to the Corolla lineup: a compact crossover that will go after cars like Kia Seltos or Subaru Crosstrek.
The 2022 Corolla Cross will go on sale in October, 2021 and prices will range from $22,195 to $27,625, depending on the trim level and driveline.
2022 Renault Megane E-Tech
2023 Vauxhall Astra-e
Vauxhall/Opel’s first electric car - the Ampera - was a fiasco. While it started strong on the market, by the end of 2015 only 200 units a year were being sold. Now, the company hopes that the success will come by using electric powertrain on names with tradition on the market.
Now in its eighth generation, the Astra will be offered for the first time with an electric powertrain. Called Astra-e, the electric version will go on sale in 2023 and will be offered in both hatchback and station wagon versions.
2022 Ford Ranger Splash Package
Ford offered the "Splash" package for the first time back in the 1990s when it was offered as an update for the Ranger pickup. Then, in June, 2021, the company trademarked the name again and initial rumors said it will be used for an electric pickup. Turns out those rumors were false, as the Splash is offered once again as an update package for the 2022 Ranger.
2022 BMW iX3
BMW just admitted that it could have done better with the iX3 by updating it for the 2022 model year. As you’d expect for a model that hit the market a little over one year ago, the iX3 doesn’t see anything major, but there are some noteworthy appearance changes. The front end, for example, now features a larger grille and the headlights are now just a bit slimmed – 10 mm, to be exact. The front apron was restyled while the rear end is now more muscular and features 3D taillights. The 2022 iX3 also comes standard with the M Sport package. While 19-inch wheels come as standard, you can opt for the M aerodynamic 20-inch wheels, too.
On the inside, you’ll find a new 12.3-inch instrument cluster and an enlarged control display. The sports seats can be had in a new Sensatec perforated upholstery that’s combined with an Aluminum Rhombicle dark contrasting finish. Motivation is derived from an electric powertrain that’s good for 286 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. 0-60 mph comes in as little as 6.8 seconds while top speed is limited to just 112 mph. As far as the range goes, you’ll get 286 miles from a single charge but can add up to 62 miles with 10 minutes of fast charging. There’s no word on pricing yet, but the 2022 BMW iX3 will be shown off in public for the first time at the 2021 Munich Auto Show in September 2021.
2021 Nissan Altima - Driven
The sixth-generation Nissan Altima has been on the market since 2018, and was generally received as more technologically advanced, better looking, and better equipped than the fifth-gen model. Three years in, however, and it’s easy to wonder if the Altima can still hold its own so close to its mid-cycle update. We spent a week with the Altima VC-T to see just how well it manages to navigate the cut-throat midsize sedan market.
2022 Honda Civic Hatchback
Honda launched the 11th gen Civic sedan not too long ago. Now, the automaker has unveiled the hatchback version of it as well. Honda revealed the 2022 Civic Hatchback at the Civic Tour “Remix” virtual concert. The hatch shares most of its traits characteristics with the sedan, but comes with a tinge of sportiness in terms of looks as well as drivability.
The 2022 Civic Hatchback is fairly loaded in terms of creature comforts and comes with the same engine options as the sedan – a 2.0-liter and 1.5-liter turbo option. To make the deal sweeter, both the mills will be available with a six-speed manual gearbox. Also, the 2022 Civic hatchback will be manufactured in the U.S. for the first time ever.
2022 BMW X4
Quite recently, we talked about the 2022 BMW X3 and what makes it so much better than its predecessor. When we talk about BMW’s compact SUV, we cannot go without talking about its sportier counterpart – the X4. Like its slightly more practical sibling, the 2022 BMW X4 has also undergone numerous improvements, in order to stay up to stay relevant and to keep up with the competitiveness on the SUV market.
2022 BMW X3
BMW is in the process of refreshing its existing lineup and the BMW X3 G20 is among the latest models to receive a facelift. The Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) has undergone numerous revisions, making it more modern and digitalized than before. The BMW X3 is an important model for the brand, which is why they want to make it a more appealing offer through a revised range structure. In addition to the new look, the X3 (and consequently the X4) is sportier and more versatile than ever before.
2022 BMW X3 M Competition
BMW recently revealed a plethora of vehicles as part of the 2022 model refresh. One of them included the X3 M Competition. The German revealed the M models for the X3 and the X4 a couple of years back and have now refreshed it for the 2022 model year. It comes with nips and tucks on the inside and outside. Apart from this, the SUV also comes with a slight bump in the torque figures that results in quicker 0-60 mph times. Overall, not bad for what is essentially just a refresh.
2022 Ford Maverick - A New Compact Truck Aimed At The Hyundai Santa Cruz
Ford has come up with a new compact pickup truck called the Maverick. The Maverick was leaked and spotted multiple times in the past. Ford teased in last week and gave us a glimpse of what to expect. Now, the truck is finally out. The Maverick will serve as the entry-level truck in Ford’s lineup and will slot below the Ranger. It will be offered with two different engine options, including a hybrid, with front-wheel-drive configuration as standard and an all-wheel-drive system as optional. The best part, however, is its price. The 2022 Ford Maverick is launched with a starting price of $19,995. Not bad, huh?

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Internet payment processing firm PayPal has decided to cut off services to several major Usenet providers and freeze the funds within their accounts. This new move by PayPal is seen as an extension of its aggressive anti-piracy policy which led to the withdrawal of services from several file-hosting websites earlier this year.
On Tuesday Dutch news site Tweakers reported that five large Usenet resellers were cut off from PayPal services. These include XSUsenet, EasyUsenet, Wondernews and Usenet4U. These companies can no longer take PayPal payments for their services and additionally PayPal has frozen funds within their accounts for at least 180 days.
In July filehosting websites MediaFire, Putlocker and DepositFiles suffered from PayPal’s “Filesharing and newsgroup services” terms and conditions being implemented. A representative from Putlocker told TorrentFreak that “They basically wanted access to the backend to monitor all the files being uploaded, and listing all files of users if they wanted, regardless of the privacy setting that the user might have selected”. The company wouldn’t comply so now have to use other payment processing methods.
How far will PayPal go? There are still some file-hosting and Usenet companies that can accept PayPal payments but it is expected the monetary noose will tighten around more of them in coming months. The file-hosting and Usenet companies seem to be being punished for their user’s activities.
On a related note, I’ve known friends and family who accidentally bought pirated/counterfeit goods on eBay, they then have to go through a long dispute process just to get money back, minus return postage fees. I don’t know of any further outcome from these problems other than the buyer eventually getting money back. It seems like neither the counterfeit seller nor eBay get punished.


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Author(s): Raghu Gopal
In 2015, CCS Insight wrote about the growing influence of virtual reality (VR) at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah (see Daily Insight: Virtual Reality Making the Rounds). The venue tends to be a leading indicator for technology as well as talent, and we identified about a dozen VR movies making the rounds.
The number of such entries has more than doubled in 2016, with over 24 VR films. The technology has the ability to transport audiences into a different world, allowing them to see content from different angles to offer a fresh experience with every viewing. The films are more difficult to create, but the results can breathtaking when recorded and watched on decent hardware.
The devices for making and viewing VR have matured in the past few years, and the cost to buy VR headsets has steadily declined. A basic Google Cardboard unit is now available for $10 or less (and often given away for free), and more serious devices like the Samsung Gear VR cost $99.
Facebook, owner of virtual reality pioneer Oculus, now supports 360-degree video in its timelines, offering unprecedented reach for this emerging format. Google-owned YouTube also supports 360-degree video, and there were already 30,000 examples hosted via the service at the end of 2015. Users can navigate these unique videos via a mouse or using a finger on the touch screen on Web and mobile devices, creating an immersive experience. There's no question that VR is going social in 2016.
The technology has also become a way to distribute news. The New York Times recently supplied Google Cardboard sets to more than 1 million of its subscribers, allowing them to access its newly launched VR content.
The excitement about VR at CES 2016 in Las Vegas and the drive toward professional, Hollywood-style VR entertainment from the Sundance festival suggest that this new content consumption medium will gain momentum with consumers during 2016.


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In Osakas Central District, there is a long line at the door before the drugstore opens
Overseas network 28 February novel coronavirus pneumonia infection in Japan has been climbing, the epidemic continues to expand, and domestic masks have been running short supply, causing concern.
According to Japans current affairs news agency, domestic mask suppliers have tripled their output, but still cant guarantee adequate supply of masks. Long lines have been standing at the door of drugstores all over the country since early morning. These people are called mask refugees by Japanese media, and they have many disputes when they rush to buy them.
In the early morning of the 27th, the drugstore in xinzhaiqiao store street, the largest shopping district in Osaka, had not yet opened, and a long line of more than 40 people had already lined up at the door. A Japanese employee who works in Kobe city came to line up to buy masks for his family before going to work. I cant buy it near my home, he said, worried. I dont know if I can do it here. Lets line up first.
There is a notice of mask out of stock in the drugstore
People in the mask industry all over Japan have voiced that the situation of masks (and at the beginning of the epidemic) has basically not changed and there is no guarantee of sufficient quantity. In the shop, in order to rush to buy masks and fight with others, the shop has to distribute number coupons to let customers buy them in order.
Japans chief cabinet secretary, Kan Yiwei, made it clear at a press conference on the 12th that in the future, more than 100 million masks (in the market) can be guaranteed every week, but the shortage of masks has not yet been alleviated.
Japans Ministry of health, labor, economy and industry explained: domestic manufacturers have been working continuously for 24 hours, which has increased production by three times. But priority needs to be given to medical institutions, and it will be some time before there is sufficient supply in stores.
According to the Japan mask Industry Association, the inventory of major mask manufacturers was about 180000 in January, and by the beginning of February it was almost bottomed out. About 70% of the masks in circulation in Japan are imported from China and other countries. The local distribution network has ceased to operate, and the masks can hardly be bought. Although the import is slowly recovering, but the pollinosis season is coming, the demand is further increased, and the supply will be in short supply.
Every day there is a lot of pressure on us from the government residence, but it is still difficult to alleviate the supply shortage, complained Gao qiaoshenzai, special director of the mask Industry Association Because there are always people who want to resell many masks at one time, Gaoqiao appeals to ordinary consumers to buy only the amount they need.


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In the near future, Maruti Suzuki will hit the launch button in a big way. The company, in a dealers conference at Macau, confirmed that it would launch at least 4 new cars this year. Of the four cars that Maruti has planned to launch this year, three will be based on existing models and one will be an all-new model that was first shown to India at the 2018 Indian Auto Expo. Notably, Maruti Suzuki will launch Future S, 7 seat version of WagonR, petrol hybrid version of the Vitara Brezza and luxury version of the new Ertiga MPV.
Future S is a car that will be a crossover meant to sit in between hatchbacks and compact SUVs. The car will have only petrol variant with mild hybrid. The Future S is expected to arrive during this year’s festive season. The car is expected to be Bharat Stage 6 (BS-VI) emission norms ready and compliant with Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Program (BNVSAP) safety norms.
7 seat version of WagonR is also expected to launch this year by Maruti Suzuki. This car is expected to be sold through the NEXA chain of dealerships rather than the Arena dealerships from where the regular WagonR is sold. WagonR is likely to have a 5+2 seating layout and will compete against the upcoming Renault Triber compact MPV. The car will measure under 4 meters in length and is expected to squeeze in the additional row of seats in the car’s existing body. It is likely to have 1.2 liter K-Series petrol engine.
The long awaited petrol-hybrid version of the Vitara Brezza will use the 1.5 liter K-Series petrol engine with 104 Bhp-138 Nm and the Suzuki Hybrid Vehicle System (SHVS) mild hybrid unit. So far, the Brezza has been a diesel-only compact SUV.
A 6 seat and luxury version of the new Ertiga MPV is also in the launch list of Maruti Suzuki. Called the Ertiga Sport, the latest iteration of the MPV will be a top-of-the-line model. It will be sold through NEXA dealerships.
Importantly, Maruti Suzuki has already launched the all-new WagonR earlier this year, which has been the car maker’s biggest launch so far. The Ciaz and Ertiga also received brand new turbo diesel engines recently. The Alto and Eeco got additional safety features and the former got a mild facelift as well.


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The Adelaide Central Market Arcade Redevelopment – to be named Market Square - is a proud joint-venture development between the City of Adelaide and ICD Property.
The redevelopment will see specialty retail added within an expanded Adelaide Central Market, along with new residential and office opportunities and a premium hotel.
The new mixed-use precinct will include world-class public spaces such as an elevated urban garden retreat as well as a grand atrium hall and gathering place, set to showcase the best of South Australia’s makers and purveyors.
The development application for the $400 million project was approved in January 2021. The redevelopment is expected to break ground in the second half of this year and to take 3.5 years for completion.
Market Square is expected to generate a boost of $135 million to the SA economy.
This project signifies the first public-private partnership development for ICD Property, as well as the company’s flagship Adelaide project.


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This is from the Star.
The margin by which the agreements passed at Chrysler and GM is quite large. In spite of the fact that there are few benefits but much sacrifice as the earlier article posted notes the company may simply ask for more and jobs will continue disappearing anyway. The workers must agree with the union's policy of going along with the company for the most part but Ford workers were less enthusiastic with only 67% approval.
Clean sweep for historic auto deal TheStar.com - Canada - Clean sweep for historic auto deal
Chrysler workers follow in footsteps of Ford, GM in ratifying three-year deal that freezes wages
May 18, 2008 Brett PopplewellStaff Reporter
Canadian auto workers with Chrysler LLC yesterday followed their colleagues at General Motors and Ford and ratified a three-year contract that freezes wages, suspends cost-of-living allowances and reduces vacation pay.
Voting at locations across the GTA and in Windsor, more than 5,000 Chrysler employees voted 87 per cent in favour of the new contract.
"I think it was an overwhelming endorsement of the union strategy to go in early," said Buzz Hargrove, president of the Canadian Auto Workers union, who took his members into contract negotiations four months ahead of their current deal's expiry date.
CAW and Chrysler negotiators reached a deal Thursday, then turned it over to the 8,000 Chrysler employees for a vote.
Yesterday's ratification comes one day after GM auto workers ratified a similar three-year deal affecting about 13,000 employees.
The provisions in both agreements are similar to terms Ford Motor Co. of Canada Ltd. and the union negotiated earlier this month for about 9,000 workers.
The approval rate at Chrysler was the highest, with GM workers voting 84 per cent in favour, while 67 per cent of Ford workers backed the new contract.
Hargrove said the union pressed for early deals as worsening conditions in North America's struggling auto industry could have weakened members' bargaining positions in the summer.
The deal comes as rising fuel prices and a high Canadian dollar continue to batter the domestic auto manufacturing industry.
Despite these challenges, Ken Lewenza, chair of the CAW-Chrysler master bargaining committee said the biggest challenge to the Canadian automotive industry comes from the falling market share of the Big Three American auto makers and from the cheaper labour sources used in other countries.
"It's not about the worker, his or her benefits or wages; we cannot be expected to compete with Third World countries," he said.
As well as a wage freeze and suspension of a cost-of-living allowance until the end of 2009, new workers won't receive full wages for three years, instead of two.
However, in a statement released yesterday, the CAW said the three-year deal resisted two-tier wages, improved benefits and strengthened health and safety regulations.


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Ballmer's exit revives demands for Office on iPad, Android tablets
'One of those classic moments' when Microsoft must decide what's more important: Office revenue or supporting a sagging Windows ecosystem, says Forrester analyst
Computerworld - Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's announcement last week that he will step aside in the next 12 months has renewed calls by analysts that the company offer Office on Apple's iPad and tablets powered by Google's Android.
"You're hearing these calls now because there's a perception, rooted in some reality, that Ballmer was the one who claimed Office as part of the platform wars," explained J.P. Gownder, a principal analyst at Cambridge, Mass.-based Forrester Research.
"This is really a good time to renew the call for Office on iOS and Android tablets," said Gownder. "It's clearly the best product in its class, and this is one of those classic moments where Microsoft could keep that momentum, where they can seize the day on platforms that show no sign of slowing."
Most experts believe that Microsoft has withheld Office from rivals' tablets as a strategic move to protect Windows and the tablets that it and its OEM partners sell. Windows RT, the scaled-down version of Windows 8 that powers the Surface RT, Microsoft's beleaguered tablet, comes with Office. And the legacy version of the suite, Office 2013, is a big part of Microsoft's marketing of its own Surface Pro, as it is for OEMs that produce Windows 8 tablets.
Giving iPad and Android tablet owners a chance to run a touch-based Office would, the theory goes, diminish the already slim chance that Windows tablets can catch up with Apple and the swarm of Asian tablet makers who have turned to Android.
But outsiders have continued to counter that Microsoft's decision was, and still is, shortsighted. They have argued that Microsoft is stifling Office's revenue potential in order to support a sagging Windows ecosystem.
"The Office franchise is exposed to erosion as non-Windows mobile devices take productivity work away from Windows PCs and mobile devices," said Al Hilwa, an analyst with IDC, in a guest post on GeekWire Monday.
Like Gownder, Hilwa called for Microsoft to let Office compete in the marketplace because the strategy of subordinating the suite to Windows' goals wasn't working. And with Ballmer on his way out, his objections may not carry any weight.
"Microsoft has to rethink its vision of the dominance of Windows in the mobile world and adjust to the reality that it will be at best one of several major players in future devices and will never have the control it did in the pre-touch era," Hilwa said.
In a follow-up email reply to questions today, Hilwa elaborated. "Keeping the benefits of Office for Windows can in theory strengthen Windows, but if there are other things wrong with Windows that are stalling adoption, Office may not have an impact," Hilwa said. "And every month that passes without [Office] being available on other tablets will witness some theoretical erosion of Office's indispensability."
Office is a major money maker for Microsoft, more so than Windows. In the quarter that ended June 30, when the company was still organized by product divisions, Microsoft Business Division (MBD), the unit responsible for Office, generated $7.2 billion in revenue, or 36.3% of the company's total.
The Windows group, meanwhile, produced $4.4 billion in revenue, or 22.2% of the total for the quarter. Sales of the Surface tablets, which generated just $853 million from October 2012 to June 2013, were included in the Windows division's earnings.
Microsoft's corporate reorganization, which Ballmer announced last month and until he suddenly announced his retirement last week was to execute, doesn't give any clues as to whether the company would backtrack from its no-Office-on-iPad decision.
- Microsoft launches toolset for capturing 'ambient intelligence'
- Microsoft kicks off sales of lower-priced Office subscription in bid for iPad dollars
- At Build, mobility gets a boost with universal Windows apps
- Microsoft gets strategic with its Enterprise Mobility Suite
- Microsoft sketches out final Windows XP security updates for next week
- Microsoft teases touch-first Office for Windows
- Cortana's voice is synthesized in part from an AI character in Halo
- Hell freezes over: Microsoft makes Windows free for some devices
- Windows Phone 8.1 confirmed, with Cortana digital assistant
- Ex-Microsoft employee pleads guilty to trade secret theft
- Gartner Magic Quadrant for Mobile Application Development Platforms As unprecedented numbers of enterprises build mobile applications, the mobile application development platform market continues to grow and evolve rapidly.
- The Total Economic Impact of IBM's Worklight Platform Mobile is the fastest growing consumer technology in history. As enterprises build apps to engage these new users they are facing increased complexity...
- Improve Your Mobile Application Security with IBM Worklight IBM® Worklight helps organizations extend their business across multiple mobile devices. It provides an open, comprehensive and advanced mobile application platform to help...
- Unlock the Value of Enterprise Mobility Download this guide and learn how to manage the secure deployment of enterprise mobile apps and data, while still encouraging the levels of...
- It's Chaos Out There Worried about your mobile apps? You should be; it's chaos out there. Check out this humorous video and see if you can recognize...
- Cloud Knowledge Vault Learn how your organization can benefit from the scalability, flexibility, and performance that the cloud offers through the short videos and other resources... All Mobile Apps White Papers | Webcasts
Our new weekly Consumerization of IT newsletter covers a wide range of trends including BYOD, smartphones, tablets, MDM, cloud, social and what it all means for IT. Subscribe now and stay up to date!


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Investment Trends has appointed Dr Irene Guiamatsia as head of research, while former research director, Recep Peker, will continue to support clients in an advisory capacity.
Guiamatsia was an experienced researcher with two decades of experience which spanned academia, market research and financial regulation.
She was previously Investment Trends’ key industry expert for the retail online broking and leveraged trading markets prior to joining the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) in 2019.
Sarah Brennan, Investment Trends chief executive, said: “I’m delighted to have the invaluable expertise, experience and leadership of Irene in guiding our world class team of industry experts.
“Investment Trends is ever focused on giving consumers a voice and improving outcomes in all markets we explore, and Irene and the team will strive to provide the highest quality research, data analytics and actionable insights to support our valued clients.”


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Sunday, December 23rd, 2018
After a lot of recent requests for Photoautomat hire in Manchester and delivering photo booths to clients for their weddings at vintage Manchester locations such as Victoria Baths & Victoria Warehouse. We’re pleased to announce we’ve now taken on a member of staff based in Greater Manchester to work at all of our Photoautomat hire Manchester events! Matt is now our main man for retro photo booth hire in the Greater Manchester area!
Tuesday, June 20th, 2017
On the 9th June we were invited to take part in the American fashion label Rag & Bone’s new London store opening!
Monday, February 13th, 2017
A new addition to The Photo Cabin photo booth lineup this year will be our Berlin Photoautomat styled photo booth. (more…)
Tags: chemical photo booth hire, london, made in london, photo booth, photoautomat, photoautomat london, photoautomat uk, retro photo booth hire, vintage photo booth hire
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The online parcel and delivery service CollectPlus has discovered that the number of those earning money from online businesses has doubled in the last year.
The survey revealed that over a third of ‘e-pportunists’ take home over £10,000 per year,1 with over half of these traders having set up their businesses within the last year. Over 26 percent of e-pportunists are aged between 25 and 34 years of age, reflecting the current decline of the job market in certain sectors of industry and lower wages.
The findings suggest that many individuals are supplementing their existing incomes with online trading as a way of dealing with the increasing cost of living and difficult economic conditions. Almost a quarter of those surveyed revealed that the pressure of household bills had eased as a result of the income gained through online trading. As much as a third of surveyed consumers plan to abandon their day jobs and concentrate on e-businesses should the ventures become enough of a success – a sentiment shared by over 70% of the additional survey participants.
Mark Lewis, CEO of CollectPlus, says of the research:
“I have met with many of these e-pportunists who find an additional income online, for example selling on eBay. But to do this full time, and to make the leap of faith required, you need to know that the support is out there for you to scale your operation. One element that can often be forgotten is how do I get my goods to customers? For many juggling the demands of starting up a business being able to send goods outside of normal working hours is a real help.”
CollectPlus offers easy to use parcel send services through 4,000 specially selected local retailers that are part of the PayPoint network. All are open from early until late and the vast majority are open seven days a week, meaning that people can pick up or send parcels at a time convenient to them. CollectPlus services are securely delivered by Yodel, the UK’s leading parcel delivery company.
1 A survey of 368 ‘e-pportunists’ through Startups.co.uk, on behalf of CollectPlus


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Shout out to this amazing site called Top Nonprofits – not sure how I haven’t come across this before. The site is rich with curated lists and resources on nonprofit marketing, management, social media, and more. Check it out here: www.topnonprofits.com
Yesterday, a significant event took place with the launch of Kickstarter in Canada. Not that there were never any Canadian companies on Kickstarter prior to this, but the workaround to manage the payment options made it onerous for many and drove people away.
Early this week, Kickstarter cofounder Yancey Strickler held a Kickstarter workshop at the The Royal Theatre on College Street in downtown Toronto, to officially mark the launch in Canada. The 450-seat theatre was packed–which is likely a good indication of the number of Kickstarter projects we should expect to see from Canada.
When Strickler took the stage, he announced, “My Name is Yancey and I’m one of the founders of Kickstarter.” The theatre filled with applause and whistles. “Tomorrow will be the first time Canadians will be able to launch projects on Kickstarter. We have been waiting for this for years and perhaps you have too”.
The payment system for Kickstarter Canada will be the same as the one enabled in the UK which launched in October of last year. Backers of Canadian projects will be asked for their credit card information and billing address rather than requiring them to sign-in to Amazon to use that account to pay. Like in the US, Kickstarter will take 5% of all successfully funded projects. Credit card charges will add another 3 to 5%.
Check out Kickstarter where you can view all the projects under Canada so far on this page.
Great list from the people at npENGAGE on web design techniques that engage potential donors. 15 Techniques Used by Top Nonprofits to Boost Donor Acquisition and Online Fundraising Results | npENGAGE.
Human beings have been campaigning against inequality and poverty for 3,000 years. But this journey is accelerating. Bono “embraces his inner nerd” and shares inspiring data that shows the end of poverty is in sight … if we can harness the momentum.
Bono, the lead singer of U2, uses his celebrity to fight for social justice worldwide: to end hunger, poverty and disease, especially in Africa. His nonprofit ONE raises awareness via media, policy and calls to action.
Some good tips and fund strategies in this article about 3rd-party fundraising, the importance of storytelling, and the way the Millennial generation is interested in giving.
If you’re as tired as I am about the 80/20 rule for charities in terms of spending on overhead and administration expenses, check out this awesome TED talk on the subject by Dan Pallotta. Enjoy…
Blackbaud has published a free ebook that offers guidance on social media, peer-to-peer fundraising, integrated marketing, and much much more. The eBook is a collaboration of some of the top experts in the nonprofit industry who share their expertise from years of working with nonprofit organizations. Check it out here.


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Goobne, the little chicken brand that SNSD currently endorses, has felt the power of the 9. Prior to hiring SNSD, it was just a small fast food company that wasn’t as known or popular.But now, it is one of the leading chicken brands in Korea..Why you ask?
Well you know you’re a leading brand when your revenue increased by 525% from 2007 to 2010 (aka the time period SNSD jumped aboard the Goobne train)!! So companies, if you’re looking for a bangin’ boost in popularity, SNSD is the way to go. It certainly is one of the biggest success stories the CF world has ever seen.
Many have joked that the chicken is just an added bonus while the actual goodies being sold are the SNSD items. Sounds about right…I mean who here ordered those Goobne calendars through Soshified? 😀
Thanks to silis7noy@soompi for the info and here’s his actual post with the rest of the deets:
The Goobne CF success story is one of the biggest CF success stories in history. Goobne was a small unknown fast food chicken brand when SNSD first became their spokesmodel and now is one of the major national chicken brands in Korea. The various Goobne promotions that give away SNSD goods have been so successful that Korean people joke Goobne sells SNSD items and you get some free chicken as bonus. And because of Goobne’s success it’s become standard for other chicken brands to hire idols as their models.
Goobne’s success was reported last year and we have some updated numbers
Goobne’s revenue increased from 16 billion won in 2007 to estimated 100 billion in 2010, the period in which SNSD is employed
That’s revenue increase of 525% thanks to SNSD
In comparison the industry leader BBQ brand’s revenue increased 51% during the same period
If SNSD endorsed McDonalds, you can be sure the obesity rate will just skyrocket. Kidding but really..power of the 9.
written by Boss Lady.


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Mobile Technology Upgrading Trends of 2022
Mobile technology is constantly evolving, although we hardly notice it. The pandemic brought a significant drop in the purchase of smartphones.
The pandemic and the improvements that the manufacturers proposed to us were so internal that we users did not see them. This year, they have charged their batteries to offer us new features or options that improve our experience with our mobile phones.
The mobile trends for 2022 include improvements in the charging of your devices, new hardware and software functions, and advances in artificial intelligence to create more professional photographs. Ready to see the future?
Mobile Trends of this 2022
New Operating System (OS)
The rise of folding mobile phones led Google to create Android 12L, an operating system for this type of smartphone that adapts to the screen and provides the user with greater fluidity when working and new multitasking and personalization bars.
There is no need to look for plugs wherever you go (if you don’t have a power bank). Xiaomi has revealed a new technology that powers multiple devices simultaneously from several meters away. It will be available (as they say at the end of this year). Its name is AirCharger, and it is still undergoing functionality and security tests.
Manufacturers are increasingly committed to the planet, minimizing the impact of technology on the environment. For this reason, they have chosen to develop technology that can optimize energy consumption in all electronic devices to reduce the carbon footprint.
More than a novelty, it is a renewal or update. Due to the increase in payments through our smartphones, it is time to reinforce the apps used for it. PayPal, Bizum, Google Pay, and Apple Pay will increase transactions, so improvements will have to be made in this area.
They gain more and more prominence due to the quality of the image in brightness and contrast and because it allows the manufacture of much lighter mobile phones, increasing the user’s field of vision.
The Internet of Things (IoT)
It continues to expand, and we will not be short of solutions for sectors as varied as health, transport, smart cities, etc.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
It will multiply, creating a multitude of technological versions. Camera systems, natural language processing, speech, machine learning, knowledge graphs, and smart engines are some innovations that we will get closer to and improve our user experience with our mobile phones.
Companies are beginning to prioritize mobile security to protect user information and ensure that all transactions are secure. Many users are still hesitant to use apps for purchases and payments for security and trust reasons.
Virtual SIM card
Apple is working on a system of virtual SIM cards for its iPhone 14. The great challenge is to convince operators worldwide to offer this service to users and abandon plastic cards once and for all, considerably reducing pollution worldwide and improving other functionalities of the device.
Many have been seen at this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. The TCL company, for example, has presented its Fold ‘n Roll model, a mobile phone with a flexible third screen that can be easily rolled up and unrolled.
A demand of today’s companies who request to unify interactions with customers through multiple channels to solve problems and generate sales.
More Resolution Photography
Up to 9 cameras will incorporate mobile phones this year. Although the scope of the lenses is not yet detailed, images have been leaked that show what the new designs will look like. For now, the cameras will take up much of the back of the phone, but they won’t break the aesthetic we’re used to.
6G: Physical and Digital Worlds
6G is already on the way. The 6G network will reach speeds of one terabyte per second, creating a seamless fusion between the digital and physical worlds. Will improve latency, power efficiency, and maximum data rates will improve latency, power efficiency, and top data rates. With this new technology, connectivity can also be integrated into practically everything.
All this that we have told you is what is supposed to come, but mobile technology moves so fast that we can almost talk about our present more than our future. They are all exciting topics that we will be able to analyze in detail on another occasion.


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Store robbers wanted money for online games, drugs
published : 7 Nov 2019 at 17:22
writer: Wassayos Ngamkham
Two of three men who held up a convenience store in Nakhon Nayok have been arrested and told police they wanted the money for online games and drugs.
Narenrit Baitoey, 23, of Phuket, was caught by a team of Crime Suppression Division police at a house in Pruksa Vill housing estate in Muang district of Pathum Thani on Thursday. Somchate Madee, 20, of Udon Thani, surrendered to police at Metropolitan Police Division 2.
The duo were wanted on arrest warrants issued by the Nakhon Nayok provincial court for robbery.
Pol Col Man Menyaem, chief of the CSD sub-division 4 said the two suspects and an accomplice, identified only as Neng, had robbed a 7-Eleven store on the Nakhon Nayok-Nang Rong road in tambon Sarika of Muang district, Nakhon Nayok, in the early hour of Sept 28.
They stole several thousand of baht and 20 TrueMoney cash cards, worth 20,000 baht in total, before fleeing on a car.
During interrogation the two suspects allegedly confessed to all charges and said they robbed the store to get money to buy online games items and finance their drug habit.
They were handed over to Muang police in Nakhon Nayok for legal action. Police were still looking for the third robber.


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Choosing the perfect outfit is never easy. Just ask Britney Spears.
In an Instagram video posted on Saturday, the pop star staged a mini fashion show for her 22.2 million followers, complete with five outfit changes.
“Sometimes I have more than 1 #OOTD,” she captioned the clip.
Spears, 37, kicked things off with a one-sleeved white minidress paired with brown platform heels. She then donned a lacy black crop top and a red body-con miniskirt with a white sunhat, followed by what appeared to be a latex minidress with an electric blue skirt and pink and white striped bodice.
The star then moved on to a yellow halter dress with a plunging neckline before concluding with a red crop top and tiny low-rise denim shorts paired with another wide-brimmed hat.
Spears’ boyfriend Sam Asghari clearly enjoyed the fashion show, commenting, “Killing the fashion game 1 hater at a time.” Celebrity stylist Brad Goreski wrote “We really needed this today,” while former “Bachelorette” Kaitlyn Bristowe commented, “Get it B.”
Spears has been sending her fans into a fashion frenzy on her Instagram as of late. Just last Thursday, she recreated her iconic schoolgirl outfit from the 1999 “…Baby One More Time” music video.
“I went shade shopping today but found nothing!!!!,” she wrote in the caption. “Oh well ? ….. but I did find a nice bracelet!!!!!!”
Source: Read Full Article


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Scary Spyware Trends
It used to be that when you thought of cyber crime you imagined a teenager sitting at his computer in his basement trying to hack into some government agency. And he just wanted to make a name for himself.
Those days are gone. Cyber crime is becoming more organized, according to top U.S. officials.
"There has been a change in the people who attack computer networks, away from the 'bragging hacker' toward those driven by monetary motives," Christopher Painter, with the Department of Justice Computer Crime section, told Reuters. "There are still instances of these 'lone-gunman' hackers but more and more we are seeing organized criminal groups, groups that are often organized online targeting victims via the Internet."
The real danger today lies in what are called "anonymous virtual interlopers". They focus on identification theft, illegal use of bank and credit cards and creating Botnet armies that can hijack hundreds or thousands of computers in an effort to infect other systems.
Profiting from these scams seems to be the name of the game now. Several recently released industry reports have found that malware creators are making money from their code and are therefore creating increasing numbers of sophisticated Trojans and bots.
One recent criminal indictment alleged a convicted bot-herder, Jeanson James Ancheta, received $150 for each of 1,000 infected computers.
Cyber crime is a big business. The FBI (American Federal Bureau of Investigation) estimates that computer crime in general in the U.S. costs industry about $400 billion. In Britain the Department of Trade and Industry said computer crime had jumped by 50 percent in the last two years alone.
And industry analysts expect the problem to only get worse. Gartner researchers expect spyware to infect up to 50 percent of companies in the next two years.
The question is no longer if you'll be affected, but when.


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Scott Roe has been promoted to vice president, controller and chief accounting officer of VF Corp. He will also serve as a member of VF’s operating committee.
Roe succeeds Bradley Batten, who is retiring after 10 years with the Greensboro, N.C.-based apparel giant. He continues to report to Bob Shearer, senior vice president and chief financial officer of VF.
Roe joined VF in 1996 after serving as a senior auditor at Ernst & Young. He was vice president of finance and cfo of the company’s international business for six years prior to being promoted to vice president of finance last year, when he began to work with Batten on the transition in responsibilities and assumed financial oversight of the Jeanswear Americas and imagewear coalitions.
“Scott has played an important role in the evolution of our finance team,” Shearer said, “most recently in providing financial oversight of our international business during a period of exceptional growth.”
With 2012 revenues of $10.88 billion and net income of $1.09 billion, VF is the largest marketer of apparel in the U.S. Its brand portfolio is led by Wrangler, Lee, Timberland, The North Face and Vans, all of which have annual sales in excess of $1 billion.
@tradesy is turning the concept of a showroom upside down with its new space in Santa Monica. Here, the company plans to hold events, art exhibits and a showcase rare fashion pieces like this Louis Vuitton boxing set. Get all the details on Tradesy’s first showroom on WWD.com. #wwdnews
Spotted last night at the @erdem x @hm launch event: Kate Bosworth, Rashida Jones, Kirsten Dunst and Selma Blair. The party, which took place in LA, also marked the opening of their pop-up shop. “I was interested in creating a collection that wasn’t in any way disposable. It was about pieces you’d create and keep forever, things that have a permanence to it,” designer Erdem Moralioglu said. #wwdeye (📷: Katie Jones)
Renee Zellweger in yellow in 2001 and again in 2017. Chosen as one of the 12 @pantone Leading Spring Colors (and dubbed “Meadowlark”), it only makes sense that the bright hue stands the test of time and is making a resurgence this season, seen already on stars like @blakelively and @gigihadid. (📷: Donato Sardello & @rexfeatures) #wwdfashion #tbt
Dior’s 70th anniversary celebration continues with a new exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. “Christian Dior,” which is scheduled to run through March 18, takes a look at the founders tenure from 1947 to 1057 and feature 40 designs. Pictured here is an evening gown from the Ailée, fall 1948-49 haute couture collection. #wwdfashion (📷: Brian Boyle)
As one of the most recognizable models in the world, Christy Turlington Burns has an insider’s view of the fashion industry and the allegations of sexual harassment swirling around it. “I can say that harassment and mistreatment have always been widely known and tolerated in the industry. The industry is surrounded by predators who thrive on the constant rejection and loneliness so many of us have experiences at some point in our careers,” Turlington told WWD, along with her suggestions for how the modeling world should protect younger women and men. Read more on WWD.com. Link in bio. (📷: Tony Palmieri) #wwdnews
@asics America has tapped a new brand ambassador: famed DJ/record producer @steveaoki. This initiative is intended to set the tone for the new brand identity and philosophy and will include partnerships with influencers and in-store and off-line activations that will continue into next year. This is Asics’ most significant marketing effort in two decades, and is expected to attract younger consumers to the brand. #wwdfashion
24-year-old Jean Prounis is redefining the rules of jewelry. Formerly a studio assistant to Jemima Kirke and a design apprentice at Ghuran, she focuses on handcrafted subtleties and ancient goldsmithing techniques. “There was a really sterile feel in the environment and I wanted to have jewelry with character that shapes how you wear it everyday,” Prounis said. Each piece is hand made in New York, either by Prounis or three other jewelers in the district. #wwdfashion
“These collections continue to build on that vision, empowering differently abled adults to express themselves through fashion,” said @tommyhilfiger of his line of adaptive apparel, which launches today. The line consists of 37 men’s and 34 women’s styles based upon the pieces from the spring Tommy Hilfiger sportswear collection. #wwdnews


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Clear Channel has added NFC and QR code functionality to 250 advertising panels in the Dutch cities of Amsterdam, Eindhoven, The Hague, Rotterdam and Maastricht. The panels are located “in and around crowded shopping areas, railway stations and car parks,” the out-of-home media owner says.
- AMS chips will allow cars to be unlocked and started with NFC phones
- Carrefour uses LED lighting to send offers to shoppers in stores
- Apple Store purchases get two-step authentication
- Mobile payment market worth $2.8tn by 2020
- India’s ICICI Bank launches voice recognition service


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One of the most basic things you need to consider when doing business online is that the World Wide Web is an open arena with no established security. Once you have learned to appreciate that the inte ... [Read more]
A new survey performed by the Ponemon Institute shows that both businesses and private computer users frequently deal with security issues from hackers and other malicious attackers.The research institution surveyed IT departments and IT security practitioners in the United States, France, Germany and the UK. A shocking 90 percent of U.S. businesses said that their organizations’ computers were “breached” by hackers at least once in the past year, and 59 percent of respondents said that their systems were breached more than once.
Perhaps more surprisingly, 53 percent of these businesses had no confidence that they’d be able to stop security breaches in the next year.Digital security issues are a major concern for modern businesses. Corporations paid over $1 trillion to repair network damage, recover from intellectual property loss and to handle the other consequences of IT security breaches in 2008.However, the threat is by no means limited to corporate computer networks. The Ponemon Institute’s research shows that 65 percent of Internet users around the globe have been cybercrime victims, and 73 percent of Americans have suffered the effects of cybercrime–second to only China and Brazil by percentage.Part of the problem is that hackers don’t have to work particularly hard to compromise corporate and personal computer systems.
The infographic points out that 75 percent of computer users use the same password for all of their logins, and a password with six or fewer digits can take as little as 10 minutes to crack using basic software. Computer users can drastically decrease the chances of a successful security breach by upgrading to an eight-digit password and by using a mix of numbers, symbols and uppercase and lowercase letters.


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Huawei P9, the Chinese device maker’s flagship smartphone for 2016, is set to be made available in at least four variants according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke with online technology publication Venturebeat.
The four will include a “regular” P9, a P9Lite, a P9max and a feature packed “more premium” version of the device, the P lineup’s equivalent of the Mate S Premium we saw last year.
Huawei, which managed to ship over 100 million smartphones in 2015, is counting on the four versions of its flagship device to propel its sales numbers and boost revenues for its mobile business. In 2015, Huawei’s P8 family had the regualr P8, the P8Lite and the P8max. These devices were however introduced in various markets separately with the regular P8 being given more priority over the rest.
While this will be a first for the company if it actually happens, it will bring to fore questions that were asked when Samsung was releasing many devices bearing the flagship Galaxy S branding. There was the impression that having devices at the upper and lower mid-range category bearing Galaxy S branding was watering down what was otherwise a high value premium brand. Remember the Galaxy S Duos? The infamous Galaxy S3 Lite or the several “mini” versions of the Galaxy S III, S4 and S5?
On the other hand, there is need in the market for an expanded family of devices. Take for instance the increasing use of QHD display panels on premium smartphones and other features that are costly to include in a device like fingerprint sensors and pressure sensitivity. However, none of the devices in the P9 family will likely to pack a QHD panel. With the new Huawei P9 not expected to arrive before March (sadly they will reportedly not be ready by the time Mobile World Congress is on next month), there is still time for more clearer details to filter through and give us a more definite picture of what to expect.


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Pinterest may have launched as a social tool, but the platform is beginning to look and act more like a paid-search tool.
iProspect’s paid social clients in 2017 spent 72% more on media in the fourth quarter compared with the prior year, and 86% more year-over-year (YoY), according to the Paid Social Trends report. The biggest increase in budget did not go to Facebook and Twitter in 2017 -- but to Pinterest.
Much of this went to Facebook and Twitter, but the data reveals that a substantial amount went to Pinterest. Budgets on Pinterest among iProspect clients rose 132% YoY and 56% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ). Many capitalized on visual search after the company made investments in their ad capabilities in 2017. iProspect attributes most of the increase to the consumer packages goods industry and a focus on the holidays.
Pinterest visitors conduct more than 2 billion search queries monthly, according to the report. Last year, the company introduced search ads to allow brands to target site visitors based on keywords they use in their query.
The site also gave advertisers direct access to Pinterest’s Ad Manager, allowing them to integrate search ads with an auto-targeting tool called Taste Graph that works with a brand’s keyword strategy by automatically targeting relevant searches. It also means marketers gain access to more precise targeting tools via negative, broad, phrase, and exact-match keywords. This increased granularity allows for more cross-channel convergence between a brand’s search and social efforts.
Consider this: Facebook investments rose to 90% QoQ. Twitter investments fell to 56% YoY and 44% QoQ. Snap's spend also fell 31% YoY, but rose 40% QoQ.
While Facebook, Twitter, and Snap entered the content space, Pinterest launched Lens, search ads, promoted app ads, and the Taste Graph.
Pinterest also introduced third-party tracking. The platform can sent click data to third parties like Google DoubleClick Campaign Manager (DCM), and other third-party ad-serving tags for campaign reporting and verification of campaign delivery, according to the report.
No doubt social platforms are trying to capitalize and appeal to search marketers. In 2016, iProspect recorded more than 300 platform updates in the social advertising space, primarily focused on direct-response features and hands-on management. In 2017, that number grew to more than 400, but the updates spanned all phases of the consumer journey to drive performance based on awareness and brand lift, consideration, intent, and purchase.


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Car 54, Where Are You? [PHIL-OSOPHY]
So who's going to enforce the new rules, advisories, requests, proclamations, executive orders or whatever you call the latest gubernatorial announcement to stay home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., or close many businesses at 9:30 p.m. and mandatory masks outside?
Officers Francis Muldoon and Gunther Toody, where are you?
The police are closing locations or facing budget cuts – as in defunding – in some places, so forget about calling 911 and reporting any violators. Who has the authority to compel you to do any of that stuff? Oh wait, I forgot about the local Board of Health. Last I heard, they went around and fined some mom-and-pops for not wearing face masks.
As if these absurd rulings haven't crippled enough businesses already, just think of the enormous extra loss this is going to have on Black Friday holiday sales. I stopped in my tracks when I saw liquor stores must cease alcohol sales at 9:30 p.m., but the good news is the liquor store may continue to sell other products, like beer nuts. Now that I think of it, maybe the liquor stores should start thinking about putting together Frito-Lay gift baskets for the holidays.
I want you to help me reason this out. Governor Charlie Baker is putting the strong-arm on restaurants and stores selling alcohol. Do you think he wants to crack down on alcohol because clusters of people drink and socialize when they are chillin', and spreading COVID-19 at the same time? So if he holds down alcohol sales, does he think he'll get a healthier outcome with less positive cases of the coronavirus?
Excuse me while I run and get a couple of bags of chips.
Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact him at firstname.lastname@example.org and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.


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In a major milestone, the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), an initiative of the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has opened up its network to consumers at 16 locations in Bangalore city, the Ministry of Commerce and the industry said on Friday.
First, consumers can place orders in two areas (grocery stores and restaurants) through buyer apps that participate in the ONDC network.
ONDC’s beta testing in the city of Bangalore is an important first step in implementing a web-based approach to e-commerce as an alternative to platform-centric approaches. The Commerce Department said this will make the e-commerce environment more inclusive, accessible and experience-driven for all consumers and sellers.
Consumers can now purchase multiple categories of products and services from a single buyer app of their choice. They can buy grocery products or order food from stores and restaurants. Over the next few weeks, more apps will join the network, expanding the buyers and sellers who can participate in this deal.
ONDC started its Alpha testing phase first in Bengaluru in April 2022 and expanded to more than 80 cities by September 2022. This validates the application and confirms business and operational processes. Now in beta testing, the public can experience shopping through ONDC and provide early feedback to take necessary action before further expansion.
In order to build trust between consumers, sellers and network participants (buyer applications, seller applications and gateways) in the open network, ONDC consulted the current ecosystem, experts and researched best practices to adapt and Develop the best way to build trust in an unbundled decentralized network. This is explained in a consultation paper that is being made available for public consultation on DPIIT, ONDC and the website’s official social media handles.
The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) was established on 31st December 2021 as an Article 8 company as an initiative of the Department of Industry and Internal Trade Promotion (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce, Government of India to create a digital commerce revolution. model, providing a greater impetus for the penetration of retail e-commerce in India. ONDC is not an application, platform, intermediary, or software, but a set of specifications designed to promote an open, unbundled, and interoperable open network that eliminates reliance on a single platform.


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Jim Farley, president of Global Markets, Ford Motor Company (L) talks with Jim Hackett, CEO of Ford during the Ford keynote at CES in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. January 9, 2018.
This is the latest partnership between an automaker and an online service dependent on transport.
The announcements focus on providing cities with cloud services to better understand the autonomous vehicles zooming around their streets, building hardware for vehicles to communicate with one another, and testing new services that are powered by self-driving cars.
16,9% das farmácias da Madeira em situação de penhora ou insolvência
Tudo por causa de uma crise económica que "se agudizou em 2017" e se estenderá para este ano, que deixa 27 por cento das farmácias algarvias "sem garantias de sobrevivência".
"We're testing the business model" for goods delivery, Farley said. Initially, of course, such vehicles will feature human oversight/drivers, but will later transition to full autonomy, ideally.
In addition to new partner Postmates, Ford will be testing further with existing partners Lyft and Domino's, and already it's gleaned some insights from the latter two, including learning that many of its early users of the Domino's autonomous delivery service say "bye" to the driverless vehicle and enjoy interacting with its voice powered instructions interface.
Postmates offers on-demand delivery from small businesses to area residents. GM in November said it will launch self-driving cars for ride-sharing services by 2019, describing the business as potentially raking in profits.
The automaker has not named the city where it will begin testing its approach. Uber Technologies agreed to purchase 24,000 self-driving cars from Volvo past year.
Bajaj Auto re-launches Discover brand
MUMBAI : Bajaj Auto Limited (BAL) today launched the new Discover 110 and Discover 125 models during a press conference in Mumbai. The new Discover 110 and 125 bring first time ever features to customers in the 100-125cc segment for a premium experience.
"Earth to Ford: what part of sustainability do you not understand?"
Founded out of San Francisco in 2011, Postmates now supplies in many major cities across the USA and Canada, making around 2.5m deliveries each month.
Marakby and Farley said the power demands from computers and sensors can cut the range of an all-electric self-driving vehicle by half.
Also this week, Toyota announced that it was working with a number of companies - including Pizza Hut - to develop p0tential applications for its self-driving vehicles, which could include pizza delivery.
Ryman Hospitality Properties (RHP) Upgraded to Buy by Bank of America
Neuberger Berman Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Ryman Hospitality Properties by 14.0% during the second quarter. Guggenheim Ltd Liability Co reported 20,337 shares or 0% of all its holdings. 2,973 are held by Meiji Yasuda Asset.


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It’s a big week for Call of Duty. Activision will officially announce and unveil Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War on August 26, but ahead of that, the Season 5 Reloaded update for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and the battle royale game Warzone will arrive late in the day on August 24.
The full patch notes for the update will arrive soon, Infinity Ward’s community director Ashton Williams said in a tweet. We’ll post the full patch notes here when they are released.
Season 5 Reloaded adds a new weapon, the FiNN LMG, as well as a new Warzone mode called King Slayer. A new operator named Morte is coming to the game as well, while there is a new Games of Summer event where players can represent their country in single-player missions where they can earn rewards. For more on Season 5 Reloaded, check out GameSpot’s breakdown of everything you need to know.
The Season 5 Reloaded update will be released across PS4, Xbox One, and PC starting at 11 PM PT, so there isn’t much more time to wait.
Call Of Duty Warzone/Modern Warfare Season 5 Reloaded Patch Notes:
GameSpot may get a commission from retail offers.
Source: Read Full Article


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De’Longhi family sells chunk of kettle maker
The De’Longhi family, founders of the Italian maker of coffee machines and kitchen appliances, sold a block of shares in the company on Tuesday night, for the first time since 2012. The shares fell 13% on Wednesday.
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A suggested expense that would enforce routing requirements on banks that provide charge card is an anti-consumer, anti-competitive and negative effort by the biggest worldwide merchants and greatest grocery chains to get an aid on their own, the American Bankers Association and 49 state lenders associations stated today in a letter to House and Senate leaders.
The Credit Card Competition Act was presented by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) in the Senate and by Reps. Lance Gooden (R-Texas) and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) in the House. In their letter, the associations stated the expense was composed to provide a significant payday for huge retail and huge grocery at a time when huge merchants have actually been getting back at larger. They likewise stated not to be tricked by claims the legislation would excuse neighborhood banks or assist small companies, as the exact same claims were made a years previously throughout the Durbin Amendment dispute, “yet small, ‘exempt’ banks saw a quarter of their debit card revenue disappear and fraud costs increased after it became law.”
“The impacts of this bill are clear: fewer choices for consumers, increased threats to consumer data and privacy, weakened local banks and credit unions, and the disappearance of card rewards programs that families of all income levels use to stretch their budgets,” the associations stated.


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The SEAT Ateca received its first international accolade in Lisbon yesterday with the AUTOBEST recognition of the car as “Best Buy Car of Europe in 2017”.
The prize-giving hosted by the Portuguese capital gathered representatives of the main European manufacturers, industry referents and the AUTOBEST’s awards panel, led by their Chairman and Founder, Dan Vardie. SEAT President, Luca de Meo, was accompanied by executives of the company and part of the team involved in the awards.
De Meo expressed his pleasure at the prestigious award. “The Ateca was our main player in 2016, achieving important awards and doubling the sales forecast. The AUTOBEST panel’s recognition is a source of pride for SEAT because it shows that our range, which in 2017 will be strengthened with the launch of the new Ibiza and the SEAT Arona, is widening in the right direction”.
Dan Vardie, AUTOBEST Founder & Chairman, said that “The victory of SEAT Ateca is representing premieres for both SEAT and AUTOBEST. With a clear victory coming from the 31 Jury members from as many European countries, SEAT is taking the first AUTOBEST award in the history of the competition. The Ateca is a very convincing expression of SEAT's ‘Created in Barcelona’ concept, a new brand philosophy pioneered by the Spanish producer. Having the ‘BEST Buy Car of Europe’ a SUV, is a clear sign that these segments are representing the future of mobility, with a remarkable increase in the years to come. With Ateca and the other models coming on, SEAT is placing itself in the core of new trends of motoring. On behalf of the Jury members and myself, It is a great pleasure to congratulate all the people involved in the project”.
With its best sales since 2007, in 2016 SEAT delivered 410,200 vehicles, 2.6% more than in 2015. A considerable boost comes from the Ateca, with 24,200 cars delivered in its first six months on the market. The Ateca’s success comes in addition to the growth of the Alhambra and the Leon, which is the brand’s best-seller model.


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Import of poultry meat and products from areas in Canada and US suspended
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 24) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the Municipal District of Greenview of Alberta Province in Canada, and Becker County of the State of Minnesota, and Faulk County and McPherson County of the State of South Dakota in the United States (US), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 20 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Canada and about 12,280 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 19.5 million poultry eggs from the US in the first six months of this year.
"The CFS has contacted the Canadian and American authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.
Ends/Tuesday, October 24, 2023


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I was minutes ago since I wrote the last blog post about Bitcoin acceptance and I stumbled upon a new article about Bitcoin which is very interesting. A private jet service announced that they are accepting Bitcoin as payment for their service. PrivateFly.com is not for everyone since their target is big pockets and this move shows that everyone is endorsing Bitcoin. It was requested by their customers which means that people want to spend their Bitcoins to buy stuff and services and not just hold them as an investment. You choose your flight and when you are prompted to pay choose Bitcoin as the preferable payment option. This is another collaboration with BitPay which shows that it is the most active Bitcoin payment processor.
Private Jet Service accepts Bitcoin


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USA: Superior Uniform's Q3 Profit Rises 26%
Uniform and career apparel company Superior Uniform Group Inc on Thursday posted a 26 per cent jump in third quarter earnings from the year-ago period despite a slight fall in quarterly sales from last year.
The Florida-based company said net income for the quarter ended September 30 rose to $1.99 million, or 27 cents per common share, from $1.6m, or 22 cents per share, in the 2002 third quarter.
The firm, whose marketing divisions include Fashion Seal Uniforms, Martin's, Empire, Appel, Worklon, Universal and Sope Creek, added quarterly sales slipped to $35.2m from $36.7m in the year-ago period.
Chairman and CEO, Gerald Benstock, commented: "We were quite pleased to report a 26 per cent increase in our net earnings for the quarter and a 23 per cent increase in our diluted earnings per common share despite a slight decline in sales for the quarter.
"We have further improved our gross margins in the current quarter and are in an excellent position to provide competitively priced products to the market.
"We are beginning to see improvement in the economic outlook and have been awarded several significant new national account contracts in the last few months that we will begin to service over the next several months.
"Our financial position and cash generation from operations remain very strong. It is this strength that has allowed us to weather the economic downturn over the last several years and to be able to continue to invest in our organisation in preparation for better economic times ahead."
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DDB is finally looking interesting after years of playing second fiddle to Omnicom’s biggest network BBDO. Aside from its stand-out UK performer adam&eveDDB (which may be morphing into an international brand, it’s opening in the US to handle Samsung) the network, synonymous with creativity in its early days as Doyle Dane Bernbach, has definitely stepped up a gear under newish North America CEO Wendy Clark, a former top marketer at Coca-Cola.
Now Clark has hired former BBH New York CCO Ari Weiss as the agency’s first North America CCO. DDB’s global CCO is the combative Amir Kassei.
Clark told Ad Age: “We weren’t looking for a figurehead. This is a hard-working role. If you look at DDB’s 66-year-legacy, it’s best, brightest and most prosperous years were when creative leadership was strong.”
“One of the things we talked about is Ari’s ambition, and certainly mine, to drive creativity at the highest level on very big, muscular, large-scale brands. It’s easier to do on smaller, niche, less bureaucratic and complex brands. The real potential is to do beautiful work at scale.”
Which is straight out of the adam&eve songbook, of course.
Weiss says: “I am a huge advertising nerd. And you can’t be a huge advertising nerd without worshiping Bill Bernbach. He was the original creative renegade. He wasn’t a renegade because he wanted to be different; he was a renegade because he knew difference would drive business growth. That kind of bravery is in DDB’s bones. You pair that with the incredible momentum Wendy and her team have built in the last year and you’ve got the opportunity of a lifetime.”
In her year in charge Clark has overseen a number of successes, most notably DDB’s new operation We Are Unlimited landing the US McDonald’s account. McDonald’s seems to want unlimited content, quicker and cheaper, so this seemed at odds with DDB’s heritage. But all big agencies (and networks) are department stores to a degree.
Holding company-owned networks are suffering something of an identity crisis at the moment with many people forecasting that, eventually, they’ll be centralised operationally as well as financially under the holding company. Maybe with different name plates. French-owned networks Publicis Groupe and Havas (which is rather smaller) have moved some way towards this; Publicis with its Publicis Communications restructuring and Havas with its centralised Havas “villages.”
Clark and, presumably, Omnicom seem to take a different view. She’s undoubtedly right to think that big brand creativity is the key to such independence.


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Events on the surface seem to support the latter. Nabisco has moved its top SnackWell's executive, Terry Preskar, to the position of VP-marketing for Stella D'Oro, indicating the company's priority may have shifted to that long-ignored line.
"Stella D'Oro has long been an untapped opportunity. It's a move up [for Ms. Preskar]," a former Nabisco executive said.
She is succeeded on SnackWell's by Eileen Murphy, formerly director of new business, who moves to director of wellness brands-a post that includes Newtons and other lines.
Executives close to Nabisco said it has pulled the plug on an upcoming major promotion for SnackWell's, a report the company denied.
Analysts, too, have indicated Nabisco has decided to throw in the towel on the brand.
"They've implied that they're keeping the brand but devoting their resources elsewhere," said DLJ Securities analyst William Leach. "There's no sense beating a dead horse. They've changed advertising and the products, and it's not worked that well."
That view is bolstered by a recent report in The Wall Street Journal that quoted Nabisco CEO James Kilts as saying: "SnackWell's is not a big growth vehicle and isn't going to be a big investment area for us."
Mr. Kilts wasn't available to comment on that statement, and a Nabisco spokesman said he couldn't speak directly to the quote. However, he disputed its substance, noting that in February Mr. Kilts told analysts that although "relatively small, SnackWell's commands a big presence," noting the business is still as large as Pepperidge Farm.
The spokesman acknowledged Nabisco has discontinued some of its products under the SnackWell's name, including some toaster cakes and crackers. But he added that it's on track to introduce soon a new "indulgent" cookie under the brand name.
"We will continue to support SnackWell's at the right levels with new products, promotion and advertising," he said.
A move away from SnackWell's would represent a big course correction for Nabisco, which was starting to see positive results from a revitalized new-product program, including adding minimal amounts of fat to improve taste.
It also stepped up its marketing budget to fund advertising and a women-directed promotional tie-in with Girls Inc.
As recently as May 5, Nabisco Biscuit Co. President Rick Lenny called SnackWell's "the hood ornament of our being able to turn around the company."
But observers said the improvement was short-lived. In January, Ms. Preskar said dollar sales in the second half of 1998 were up 3%, a major achievement compared to a 25% decline in the prior year. However, SnackWell's cookie sales slid 2.3% to $187.7 million for the 52 weeks ended March 28, while cracker sales plunged 32% to $33 million, according to Information Resources Inc. data.
NO REASON FOR BEING
"When they added the fat back in, they added more taste-but then the product lost its reason for being," one observer said.
The former company executive said the debate whether to continue to support SnackWell's has raged internally for some time.
"The company put an inordinate amount of resources behind it from an R&D standpoint to plug the leaky bucket. But some people thought they were over-devoting resources because it couldn't be fixed," the former Nabisco executive said.
One thing is clear. If Nabisco is pulling back on SnackWell's, the retreat will apply only to that line.
"They have a lot of new things they have to invest in, and they have to look across the portfolio to see where to spend," said an executive close to the company.
And its overall portfolio is doing very well.
"The latest IRI data show [that] on a pound basis the cookie and cracker category is up 3%," said Janney Montgomery Scott analyst Mitchell Pinheiro. "On


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NEW YORK — PLMA announced this week that Brad Studer, senior director of Our Brands for Kroger, the nation’s largest supermarket chain, will be one of several leading retailers and industry executives to speak, when PLMA unveils its first major online event for store brands in the U.S., Feb. 1-5. Studer’s topic will be Our Brands: The Artful Economics Fueling Our Growth.
Coinciding with five days of back-to-back category events on the association’s allnew, proprietary trade show platform, PLMA Live! presents Private Label Week will be streaming a daily schedule of original on-demand programming. (click link to view)
Each morning offers a special keynote presentation by a leading retail executive or industry expert, according to PLMA. Keynotes previously announced by PLMA include Bill Simon, former President & CEO, Walmart U.S., who will address private label and the economy; Albertsons’ Chad Coester SVP Own Brands & Albertsons’ Own Brands Leadership Team on collaboration and innovation; Walgreens’ Andrea Collaro, Sr. Director, Brand Management & Product Development on the past, present and future of Walgreens owned brands; and Dr. Nada Sanders, Professor of Supply Chain Management, Northeastern University will speak on supply chain strategies and survival. On Friday, Feb. 5, PLMALive! will stream a top-level executive panel on the outlook for store brands, featuring Perrigo CEO Murray S. Kessler, TreeHouse Foods CEO Steve Oakland, Vi-Jon CEO Rich Koulouris, and moderated by PLMA’s Tim Simmons.
Industry experts presenting throughout the week also include Ken Harris, Managing Partner, Cadent Consulting Group; on industry catalysts for change; Kara Sheesley, Nielsen’s Vice President Retail Services on retail trends and consumer demand; Marcie Merriman, EY Americas Cultural Insights & Customer Strategy Leader, Ernst & Young Global Limited on cultural insights and customer strategy; Heidi Reale, Founder, SparkShoppe LTD on how to thrive in the ‘new normal’; and Kantha Shelke, Principal, Corvus Blue on new dietary guidelines and private label opportunities.
Over 600 retailers from nearly 300 retail companies are already registered to participate in PLMA’s all-new digital experience. Created for retailers everywhere to discover new and innovative store brands products, connect with leading manufacturers for live, face-to-face video calls, and share contact information, product and sourcing requirements across a single, secure, intuitive and easy-to-navigate platform – the Private Label Week platform is open to search for private label products 24/7 and will continue to be accessible to all participants for private label business up to 90 days.
Featured categories on PLMA’s virtual trade show floor day-by-day are:
Home & Household Products, Mon/Tues, Feb. 1-2
Beverages & Center Store Foods, Tues/Wed, Feb. 2-3
Health & Beauty and OTC Pharmaceuticals, Wed/Thur, Feb. 3-4
Fresh, Frozen & Refrigerated Foods, Thur/Fri, Feb. 4-5
Special Show Day: All Categories, Friday, Feb. 5
For information on exhibiting or attending Private Label Week, visit www.PLWEEK.com.


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NanoSphere Health Sciences’ Brand Evolve Formulas Partners with Former NHL Star Jeff Friesen
New Campaign Aims to Educate Athletes on Marijuana Healing Potential
DENVER – NanoSphere Health Sciences INC (CSE: NSHS) (OTC: NSHSF), the biotech firm behind the groundbreaking NanoSphere Delivery System™, has announced that its cannabis brand Evolve Formulas will partner with Jeff Friesen, former NHL player and marijuana advocate, in a campaign to educate athletes about the benefits of cannabis as a natural health supplement.
Jeff Friesen is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. In 2003, he won the Stanley Cup and cemented his place in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Friesen, in his years of professional athleticism, experienced multiple injuries and broken bones. He discovered cannabis as a beneficial healing supplement during this time and began advocating for the use of marijuana by athletes for training and recovery programs while avoiding the negative side effects of pain killers and prescription drugs.
Through this new partnership, Friesen and Evolve Formulas will work together to promote cannabis as method of pain management, relaxation, decreasing anxiety and improving sleep quality. Initiatives will include educational seminars and events, digital campaigning and official public appearances as an Evolve Formulas representative.
“Throughout my NHL career, I suffered multiple injuries and broken bones. I discovered from firsthand experience about the endless benefits of cannabis to reduce pain, inflammation, anxiety and improve sleep quality. I believe cannabinoids have unlimited potential and feel fortunate to have found Evolve Formulas’ product, NanoSerum™, which provides relief from common athletic issues such as pain, inflammation and stress in minutes. As an athlete, I know that avoiding the negative and lasting side effects of painkillers is crucial to performance, which is why I turn to cannabis and hope to spread greater awareness of its natural healing potential,” said Jeff Friesen.
“Our partnership with Jeff Friesen is part of a wider effort and campaign by Evolve Formulas’ to educate athletes on the benefits of marijuana, as well as to assist them in their workout regimes. By launching these initiatives, Evolve Formulas aims to increase the credibility of cannabis as a legitimate health and wellness tool, offering a safer alternative to potentially addictive and harmful pharmaceuticals,” said David Sutton, COO and President of NanoSphere Health Sciences and Evolve Formulas.
Evolve Formulas products utilize the patented NanoSphere Delivery System™ to nanoencapsulate cannabinoids in lipid membranes for transportation through the skin and mucosa into the cells and bloodstream. This technology eliminates delayed onset of action, vastly increases bioavailability of the ingredients and alleviates adverse side effects of cannabis. The brand’s pioneering product, Transdermal NanoSerum™, is currently available in over 200 dispensaries across Colorado and will soon launch in California and Arizona.


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SME Manufacturers across the UK are playing a vital role in keeping the manufacturing economy ticking over whilst producing key components for critical medical equipment. Jason Ford reports
Companies with representatives in China sensed the Covid-19 storm brewing when cities in Hubei province followed Wuhan by implementing lockdown in January 2020.
Alloy Wire International (AWI) has over 40 agents across the world and a key growth market is the Far East.
“As the virus spread and media focus intensified, we knew it was heading for the UK and started to take appropriate measures in the middle of February,” said Angus Hogarth, Sales Director at the Brierley Hill-based based company.
Criticised since for its late response, the UK government imposed an initial three-week lockdown on March 23 that was extended for a minimum of three weeks on April 16. Phase one saw ‘furlough’ enter the lexicon as companies scrambled to remain viable and video conferencing services including Zoom were keeping people in touch.
It also became clear that frontline NHS staff were in urgent need of PPE (personal protective equipment) to protect against patients’ involuntary reactions to Covid-19, as well as ventilators and breathing apparatus to assist patients afflicted with the severe respiratory condition.
With manufacturers allowed to continue operations, many of the UK’s engineering giants united under Ventilator Challenge UK and similar efforts to help meet the demand for breathing apparatus. Included among them were the SMEs that have rallied to produce vital equipment, either as a concerted effort or as part of day-to-day operations.
“Initial market research quickly revealed an alarming deficit in PPE,” said Kevin Porter, Managing Director of Tecman Speciality Materials. “We explored the different options and made the decision that we would be most effective in supporting [efforts] if we fast-tracked the development of a face visor that is designed from the start for high volume manufacture. This was accomplished within seven days.”
Porter said modifications to Tecman facilities – including an investment into automation equipment – is expected to give his Leamington Spa-based company the capacity to manufacture over 1,000,000 finished visors a week, with two or three people manning the entire the process.
Adam Cunningham, Chairman of MAN (Manufacturing Assembly Network) and CEO of Muller Holdings added that MAN Group companies Grove Design and James Lister & Sons developed two basic ventilator systems from scratch to understand some of the parts and sub-assemblies involved, whilst PP Control & Automation is manufacturing over 25,000 harnesses for use in ventilator production. Another MAN Group company at the forefront of the effort is Brandauer, which is producing five million nose clips for face masks every month.
One of the first PPE success stories came from Inverness where 4C Engineering and Aseptium pooled their resources to produce an initial 1,000 face shields for a local ICU, an effort that would be replicated across the UK.
We are passionate about onshoring manufacturing and have had constructive conversations with supply chain partners who support the same effort
Kevin Porter, Tecman Speciality Materials
“The very spirit of MAN is built on collaboration and this has been evident in the way we are coming to terms with the unique challenges presented by Covid-19,” Cunningham said. “Some of our members are extremely busy, whilst others have had to furlough staff and introduce temporary shutdowns, so the weekly ‘Zoom’ calls can be a real godsend for bouncing ideas and concerns off each other.”
In early March Tecman were warned that there could be a significant impact on Automotive OEM output, which would affect 60 per cent of the company’s business.
“We are passionate about onshoring manufacturing and have had constructive conversations with supply chain partners who support the same effort,” said Porter. “With the investments that we are making in automation and the support from other UK manufacturing partners, we have proved that we can compete with product pricing that is coming in from Asia. This aligns perfectly with our vision.”
Porter estimates a 6-9-month period before his company returns to pre-Covid levels, but the picture is less pessimistic elsewhere. AWI retains 200 tonnes of stock and has remained active with orders received from around the world covering numerous sectors.
“So instead of talking about recovery, we are hoping that the ‘bounce back’ will build on an already strong performance,” said Hogarth. “We have taken the decision to invest over £500,000 into increasing our raw material stock, ensuring we are in the best possible position to meet demand from customers now and in the future.”


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The Shop, a multimedia brand owned by NBA All-Star LeBron James and business partner Maverick Carter, is set to enter the beauty industry with a men’s grooming line launching in April, the company said in a release Tuesday.
The Shop Men’s Grooming Line, developed in partnership with beauty manufacturer and distributor Parlux Ltd, will be stocked in around 1,600 Walmart stores and includes products such as face wash, shaving and beard creams, as well as shampoo and conditioner.
The release didn’t share pricing information, but said the products will be available at “accessible price points”.
The Shop, owned by James and Carter’s The SpringHill Company, began as a talk show which first aired on HBO in 2018, inspired by the conversations and debates which typically occur in barbershops. It has since diversified into hosting live events and launching products.
Why Athletes Are Beauty’s Real MVPs
Gen-Z sports stars like Angel Reese and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have become unlikely ambassadors for cosmetics brands, connecting them to underserved communities. Some are even bypassing partnerships to launch beauty ventures of their own.


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DC is giving away free non-fungible tokens (NFTs) of its superhero comic book covers to people who register for the FanDome event on October 16. The NFT drop – the first for DC – is scheduled for October 5th, and those who register for FanDome will receive a free, randomly selected NFT and will be eligible for a second free NFT if they are over their first in the post on social media.
The NFTs will be available in three rarity levels; common, rare, and legendary, and includes Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and Harley Quinn options.
DC is working on the NFTs with Palm NFT Studio, which the comic book maker selected for its “green and energy-efficient” technology that enables the company to coin “millions of NFTs for fans at almost no cost,” according to a press release. The companies don’t say how many comic book cover NFTs are planned. “This decline pays homage to our 87-year history while also visualizing a future where NFTs will play a fundamental role in novel ways of interacting with DC content and unlocking new experiences,” DC’s Jim Lee said in a statement.
Last year’s virtual FanDome, the very first for DC Comics and Warner Bros., delivered first-look trailers for Zack Snyders Justice League, Wonder Woman 1984, The suicide squad, and it’s Robert Pattison’s turn as The Batman. It drew an estimated 22 million views.
This year’s lineup is expected to have a new trailer for The Batman, as well as previews of upcoming films Black Adam, The Lightning, and Aquaman and the lost kingdom, new details about the next seasons for his shows Harley Quinn, Batwoman, Superman & Lois and Sweet Tooth, and the next chapter of the Fortnite – Batman Crossover.